Hyperspectral Remote Sensing for Environmental Mapping and Monitoring

Although the principles of spectroscopy are well known and methods for analysis have been widely developed, particularly for spectra collected in laboratory environments, the heterogeneity of landscapes and earth surface features in extensive environmental studies still presents new challenges and opportunities for analysis of hyperspectral (HS) imagery. Image spectroscopy is potentially the best approach for assessing diverse environmental issues, however very little research has been performed on a regional scale and on long-term monitoring, mainly because of the rather high costs related to HS data acquisition and the expert knowledge which is still required for HS data pre-processing and processing. The main purpose of this thesis/book is to use Image Spectroscopy as a tool to monitor the environmental conditions in a region affected by anthropogenic activities via estimating both geochemical and biochemical parameters on a regional scale. The research has been carried on the Sokolov lignite mine, NW Bohemia, a region affected by long-term extensive mining.